Arab News

RIYADH: The Muslim World League welcomed the adoption of a resolution by the UN General Assembly to combat Islamophobia and the appointment of a special UN envoy for the same purpose.

Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, secretary-general of the MWL and chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, said that under current international circumstances, the world was witnessing a disturbing rise in hate speech, including its slogans and methods, which threatened global peace and the harmony of societies.

Al-Issa called for remedial measures, including the enactment of effective national and international legislation that criminalized Islamophobia and categorizes it as a threat to national and international stability.

He also warned against the phenomena of impunity, the absence of accountability, and the escalation of concepts related to a clash of civilizations, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

He also advocated for combating these issues by engaging in preventative measures at the levels of family, education, and influential platforms.

Al-Issa said: “Islam is the religion of mercy, kindness, justice and peace, as supported by texts of jurisprudence and the biography of our Prophet, peace be upon him. This path is the one that Islamic moderation has adopted throughout its rich and long history.”

He added: “Islam is not represented by those who have deviated from its principles and values, nor by those who distort the meanings of its texts to justify their extremism and violence.”

Al-Issa reaffirmed the support of the MWL, including its global councils, bodies and assemblies, for all international efforts aimed at combating extremist ideas and promoting the values of peace, coexistence and mutual respect among followers of different religions and civilizations.